Good Morning!!

Well today is the first day I’m up with the Festive Friday Challenge which has been started by the lovely Nicole Derendorf.

Each Friday the design team will share a Festive card for the challenge to inspire you into creating card for Christmas and all those Festive occasions that happen during the year and this week it is Valentine’s Day!

Now remember the other day I said I’d have more from Easy Events??  Here is my card for today’s Festive Friday Challenge …

It’s amazing what you can do with just one of those little stamps!!

As soon as Nicole asked for Valentine’s well I knew what stamp I wanted to use – I love that little tree!

Now you know how all crafters say there is no such thing as a mistake and its just a creative licence?  well see my little banner? thats one of those ‘creative licences’!  I had stamped the image crooked and after all that spongeing I just about cried! So I just redid the greeting on a scrap of paper (this way it doesnt matter if it’s crooked cos I can cut it out and make it straight!) and turned it into a banner and used glue dots to position it to not only cover my mistake but to also give it the wavy/wind blown look

Now I wanted to make this card a little special so I can use it for Valentine’s Day for hubby and came across an idea online and once I saw it I thought yes this lady will have a template … but no – her sight was in some foreign language I’d never seen before so I just made my own using Microsoft Word and here’s the inside ….

Cute hey??  Took a bit of fiddling but finally worked it all out and I must say I do like this card!

Want to know more about the Festive Friday Challenge? here’s how it works.

1. Choose a card or project that inspires you
2. Create your own Project
3. Load your project online somewhere and mention who on my design team inspired you
4. Link your project to the Festive Friday Challenge on Nicole’s blog.
5. Links close Thursday January 26th at 10am.  Winners will be posted with Next Week’s challenge.

I hope you like my little card and it inspires you to create and enter the challenge.  This is a fun new challenge so make sure you pop back each week to see what we’ve been creating to inspire you and who knows you might have all your Christmas cards done before December this year!

I did my first workshop for 2012 the other week and it was good to get back into the swing of creating and sharing what I love!

As these ladies were a mixed bunch I thought I’d show how versatile our stamps are and have had the Easy Events stamp set since the pre-order back in August but hadnt actually inked it up so thought this was the perfect opportunity!

Easy Events is a great set with 8 sweet little stamps and all with different greetings so you would have something for any occasion your celebrating!

I made a little set of 8 little gift cards and here is the first four ….

Cute hey?  Wish I’d thought to use the little Christmas one at Christmas!!

Here is the other four …

Cuter still!!

I love that tree Stamp!

This set makes for a great quick and easy card and as I said before – for any occasion.  Now it comes in Clear Mount or Wood and I’ll share a tip with you that I do for these types of sets.  As you have an image and words on each stamp I tend to slice the words off the bottom of the stamp. If I had wood mount I’ll mount the words separately on the side of the block.  This way I can use the image by itself or I can always use my stamp-a-majig to place the words under the image as they should be.  It also gives me the opportunity to mix n match the greetings with the images!  So for example I could use the two birds with the ‘sending you love’ sentiment – now that would make a sweet Valentine card!

I have more projects using this set which you’ll be seeing over the next few days so stay tuned!!

If you would like to see how very versatile this little set is then please contact me today to book in your workshop – dont forget Sale•a•bration starts on 24th January so everyone gets to earn free stamps & accessories!

You may recall me talking about the Stampin’ Up! Convention back in May – with all thats happened since May it feels like a lifetime ago!

One of the awesome things you see at Convention is the demonstrations by the staff from the Stampin’ Up! Home Office in Utah and one of those was when Pam Morgan showed us the telescoping card. You should have heard all the wow’s when she shared this awesome card.

So when I got home I had to track down a tutorial on how to make these lovelies and thought it would be great to showcase them when we held our New Catalogue Launch in September.

Here is my first one using the colour paletteand a couple of the papers from Flirtatious Designer Series Paper pack.

Telescoping Doilies

This image shows the card closed and the following image shows the card open …

Telescoping Doilies - open

If you look closely these cards and held together by using brads and I’ve use the Glimmer Brads on this one.  The sentiments come from the Petite Pairs stamp set which is a great set full of lovely matching sentiments – one for the front of the card and another for inside.

Here’s another one I made using the gorgeous colours and papers from the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper Pack.

Telescoping Paisleys

To give the card some continuity I simply cut one of the flower out of the patterned paper and adhered it to the top layer.

Telescoping Paisleys - open

I just love the colours in the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper pack – so beautiful and rich! I just love how Stampin’ Up! have mastered the art of coordination! Coordinating everything from colours in their cardstock, inks, ribbons and patterened papers down to the images in their stamps to their paper designs as well.

I love these cards and they are rather easy to make – alot easier than they look! I’d love to share them with you and your friends at a workshop so contact me today to book your date!

Happy Sketchy Saturday!!

Well here we are with another Utah Divas Sketch Challenge and I’ve been good and not twisted or turned or done anything to the Sketch this week!!

Mind you, I did hit a bit of a hurdle as the stamp I wanted to use for this card was missing from the set I wanted to use but being its from Stampin Up! I wont have a problem getting it replaced

Here is this week’s Sketch …

Diva Sketch Challenge 162

Looks a bit like a porthole doesnt it??

I was in Canberra last weekend for Stampin’ Up! Regional training and one of the make and takes was quite similar and since I hadnt actually made the card up I decided to use the pack for today’s card – was rather nice of Stampin’ Up! to do that for me wasnt it??

Anywho here is my card …

I did change a couple of the colours from the Stampin’ Up! make n take and changed the Stamp Set as well as they’d used Big Top which I’m still a little unsure about!  I also thought putting the greeting in the circle rather than an image changed it around a tad and we dont always think to make the greeting the main focus on a card.

This image shows how the card opens – its a bit like opening a Birthday Present isnt it?? I love how this card turned out and I love the effect of the Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon under the Pretty in Pink Cardstock.

The Scalloped Circle you see used here is from the Perfect Pennants die which happens to be on sale this month as part of the “Sale to Die for” promotion so grab it today and save!

I hope you like my card and please make sure you pop over to the Utah Divas International Blog so you can go visit the other ladies on the Design Team and see what they came up with!

Thanks for stoppin by

Well where has this week gone??  I swear yesterday was Sunday!!

I do know today is Friday though as I have a fun workshop happening tonite!

Are you loving the new Catalogue? I know I am .. now I originally thought I wouldnt need to buy the Delicate Doilies stamp set as it wasnt my ‘cup of coffee’ however after seeing so many gorgeous samples I had to get me one!!  Its so versatile and the two cards I’m sharing with you today and you’ll probably be surprised to know that I’ve even made a dude card with it!!

This first card is such a sweet card all in Pinks!

I just selected one of the patterened papers from the Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Papers and went with the colours in there.

Recipe

Stamps: Flirtatious, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Inks: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Paper: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty DSP
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

For the second card I chose to go with one of the purple papers from Flirtatious – seriously how could I not??

Recipe

Stamps: Flirtatious, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Inks: Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty DSP
Accessories: Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4″ circle punch, 1 1/4″ circle punch, 3/4″ circle punch, Dimensionals

Step it Up ~  add rhinestones, pearls, paper flowers or glitter – or all of the above.

These are both such a queasy cards to do and I’d love to share them with you – these will be in my upcoming Beginner Stamper classes so stay tuned for dates for those.

Now how would you like to do my 6 Beginner Stamper Classes for free??  yes I said free!!

I have developed an add-on bonus when you sign up for the Mini Starter Kit by 30th September for just $169!  This is a great way to get a great selection of products for nearly half the price plus you’ll get a free Stampin’ Scrub and Mist and the 6 Beginner Stamper Classes from me!  Now this Bonus offer is only available with me and you will need to join by 30th September to take advantage of this great offer.  Dont be worried if you’d like the classes and your not local to me … we can do the classes by mail or online via webcam or video.

Questions?  of course you do and who wouldnt?

Contact me and I’ll give you a call and answer all your questions.

Good Morning!

How are you enjoying all this gorgeous Spring weather?? I love Spring when everything becomes new and the buds come out and all the flowers start to bloom – just love it!!

With Spring we also have something new to love too – the New Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalogue!!  Its started on 1st September and if you dont already have a copy please contact me to arrange your copy today! Being September it also means lots of birthdays for my family and that of my dear friend Lisa.  Since joining Stampin’ Up! I’ve met the nicest people and Lisa has become one of my closest and dearest friends.

Lisa and I had our 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue launch this past Saturday and the weeks beforehand were spent making a tonne of samples so at least I should have some pretties to share with you over the next few weeks!  We had a great day and I hope all the ladies who attended had a great time too.  We had door prizes, mystery hostess and a ‘vote to win’ prize as well. Its was also a little bit of a birthday bash as we both have our birthdays in September and had the yummiest Caramel Torte to celebrate!

Here are the make n takes for the day ….

Pennant Parade make n takes

We thought it would be best to highlight something that shows how well Stampin Up! coordinate their products so we went with the Pennant Parade Stamp Set and Pennant Punch.

Lisa created the box for her make n take.

It uses the Box #2 die  with the Big Shot and she’s also used the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, the Pennant Punch and some Linen Thread – how cute is this box? It does look small but you’d be amazed at what you could fit inside. Its a great idea for giving little treasures, gift cards, chocolates or jewellry.

If you have a close look at the Big Shot and dies in the new Catalogue you will be pleasantly surprised to see most of them have been reduced in price!  How sweet is that??

For my make n take I wanted to show just how versatile the Pennant Parade Stamp Set and punch is so wanted to make something other than a ‘pennant’ card.

I love the Pennant Parade stamp set as you can make just about anything with it as it has 6 greetings in the set which cover just about everything – Christmas, Birthday, Baby, Love and Thank You! There’s even a little ‘hello’ stamp which would cover everything else!! I am sure you will see many more creations using this set and punch in the future!

This is a very easy card to make – you simply stamp three pennants, fold them in half and stick them together and then pop them onto the card so you have a 3D tree! The pot & star are also in this stamp set as well as 4 pennants so you really have lots to choose from!

I’ve used the Polka Dot embossing folder on the Pear Pizzaz layer – I find using the embossing folders on a layer like this just lift a card so much. The Real Red frame is a Sizzlits die from the Lots a Tags set and the greeting (from Snow Swirled) is stamped on Whisper White and punched out with the Wide Oval Punch. Its all just too easy!!

I do hope you like our little projects and I do hope the girls liked making them.

Dont forget we have the Limited Time Mini Kit available for just $169 but this offer finishes on 30th September so if you were considering purchasing this kit please contact me as soon as possible and dont forget about my bonus “Super Stamper Offer”  which is good for just 9 more days!  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all

Also, I’ll be travelling to Canberra on 29th October for Regional Training and youre more than welcome to come along with me to that – ask me about all the details if youre interested.

Welcome to another Saturday and a Utah Divas Sketch Challenge.  Today I had my first ‘home’ Stamp A Stack for 2011 and we had a ball! The ladies loved the cards I made for them and they even paid me for all the fun! Gotta love that   If you are local to me (Campbelltown, New South Wales) and would like to come to my monthly Stamp A Stack or join my Stamp Club then drop me a line for more details.

Now onto this week’s sketch …

Now I did take a peek at the sketch earlier in the week and was trying to work out what to do – then I unpacked an order where I received my free Sale•A•Bration stamp sets and I knew what I wanted to do! I’d also ordered the Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack and then realised this morning what a perfect pair they make!

This is what I made …

As soon as I finished this card I was in love! Not only with the new Designer Series Paper Stacks but also with the Punch Bunch Sale•A•Bration stamp set.  So so easy to use and just perfect every time and all the stamps are designed to go with one of the Stampin’ Up!® Punches – you gotta love that!

Now I loved the Perfect Plum card and thought a Rose Red one would be nice …

Oh boy was I right or what??  but wait … there’s more!!

I just couldnt stop so I made these ….

How sweet is this little set?  Such a quick and easy and cute card   Now how do you get to make these cards?? Well you can either book a workshop with me or you can place an order for all you’ll need for this set and get the Punch Bunch Sale•A•Bration stamp set for free!

You will need ….

• Subtles Collection Cardstock
• Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack
• Whisper White Cardstock
• Scallop Circle Punch
• 1 3/8″ Circle Punch
• 1/4″ White Grosgrain Ribbon
• Stampin Write Markers – Rose Red, Old Olive, More Mustard, Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron

If you’d like to order all you need and get the Punch Bunch Sale•A•Bration stamp set for free then ring or email me today.

Now its time to skip along to the next designing Diva being the lovely RuthieB!

Here’s the complete list of all the Sketchy Utah Divas in case someone doesnt have their link up or it doesnt work – now dont forget to leave some comment love for us all!

Adriana
Alisa
Barbara
Becky
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Leonie •you are here•
Ruthie
Tammy
Carol

Have a wonderful Saturday!

I thought I’d pop in today and share a card made using another couple of challenges …

Firstly this week’s Utah Divas Colour Challenge ….

Combined with this week’s Cards & Things Sketch Challenge …

Now I am expecting a gigle when my lovely friend Lisa reads this post!

The tree on my card reminds me of our ‘road trip’ to the Stampin Up! Convention in 2009 in Canberra. As we were driving into Canberra Lisa was sitting behind me going ‘Ohhh purty trees’ and was getting a wee bit excited …. or maybe it was because it was her first time away from all three children and hubby in some time?

Here’s my card …

Recipe:
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Regals Paper Stack
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard
Accessories: Stampin Write Markers, Stampin Sponges, 1/4″ Grosgrain ribbon

This is another ‘queasy’ card to put together and really is suitable for any occasion and for both males and females.

Now dont forget we still have the Flood Relief Appeal going – when you purchase stamp sets to the value of $30 or more Stampin Up! will donate $2 to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal. You have until 15th February to get your orders in to help with that.

Now that Christmas is over and School is back tomorrow (can you hear the screams of joy??) its time to get back into my working schedule again and get back to creating which I’ve been doing a bit of late and I must say its great to be creating again.  While I needed the break I realise now how much I missed it – I do love my job

One of the things that has been neglected of late is the lovely little Summer Mini Catalogue. Its jam packed full of new stamp sets, designer series paper, accessories, Big Shot Dies and a new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. If you dont have a copy please contact me today and I’ll pop one in the post for you or drop one off if you’re local.

One of the gorgeous new Stamp Sets in this Catalogue is the ‘Aviary’ stamp set (p13). It has 9 stamps in the sets for just $35.95 (clear mount) or $44.95 (wood mount) – thats less than $5 per stamp for the wood mount and even less if you buy the clear mount!

Its one set my teen daughter loves and when she was going to a birthday day out with a friend yesterday she asked for a card using that set and I must say I had lots of fun using it!

Here’s the card she gave to Stephanie …

I wanted something quick and simple so I could then use it as a Stamp A Stack card and this one fits the bill dont you think?

I really liked this one but wanted to show the other stamps in the set too and I love the stand in it so I then made this ..

Can you tell Caitie loves the owl?  This one I only used half the ‘stand’ for the blue cage otherwise it would have been too tall so I just inked as high as I wanted it then stamped the cage on top. So easy with the new clear mount stamps I must say!

Now if you’d like to make one of these cards or even several why not contact me today to book in your Workshop or Stamp A Stack.

So what’s the difference between a Workshop and a Stamp A Stack?

Workshop – a Workshop is a free Demonstration for you and your guests and I will demonstrate a couple of products and projects and everyone at the Workshop gets to make one project to keep and take home. Approximate time of a Workshop is 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Stamp A Stack – you and your guests get to make 8 cards for just $20 per person. Approximate time for a Stamp A Stack is 2 1/2 to 3 hours – depending on the number attending.

Dont forget ….

• $2 from every stamp set bought for $30 or more gets donated to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal until 15th February
• Sale•A•Bration is here – earn free stamps for every $100 purchased or join my team and receive a bonus free Stamp Set from the Idea Book & Catalogue to the value of $79.95
• anyone placing an outside/mail/telephone/email order before 15th February goes into the draw for a free Cottage Garden stamp set – this is only available through me

There is nothing like school holidays for the days to mingle together and you end up forgetting what day it is and wonder where that last week has gone!

Its hard to believe that the girls return to school next week and we’ve just had 6 weeks of holidays – where did all that time go? Mind you I think these holidays have been the most productive and we did the Christmas thing, then went to Victoria for a week to visit family and since coming home we’ve decluttered the kitchen, Linen Cupboard and both the girls’ rooms! Whew no wonder I’m tired!

Well its Saturday – I know this cos my Outlook tells me it is – so that means its time for another Utah Divas Sketch Challenge and here is this week’s sketch …

Now since last week I didnt rotate the sketch or anything I decided I had to do something to it this week so I’ve turned it upsidedown ….

I just love the Every Moment set – maybe due to those lovely Daisies and I love Daisies It is such a clean crisp image set.

I also love the Sweet and Sour Designer Series Papers – not sure if you can see it in the picture but the Rose Red paper layer is actually embossed! There are a few papers in this pack that are embossed and they are divine!

I also love the Stampin’ Up! Watercolor paper. I’ve tried other Watercolour paper but nothing comes close to the Stampin’ Up! paper.  The colours just blend so well on it and I’ve just used my Aqua Painter and the ink from my classic ink pads to colour the image.

I do hope you like what I’ve done today as I really enjoyed colouring this one and putting it all together.

Now its time to skip over to the lovely RuthieB‘s blog and check out her lovely creation for this sketch and here’s the full list of all the Utah Divas Sketch Design team …

Adriana
Alisa
Barbara
Becky
Elizabeth
Leonie
Ruthie
Tammy
Carol.

Dont forget to leave them some comment love